Millions of low-income families are being priced out of a healthy diet, according to new findings that will raise fresh concerns for schools, catering providers and education leaders working to support pupil health and wellbeing.
The Food Foundation’s latest Broken Plate report reveals that households with children in the lowest income fifth of the population would now need to spend 85% of their disposable income to afford the Government’s recommended Eatwell Guide diet. The figure has risen sharply from 70% in 2024, highlighting growing pressures on family budgets and increasing barriers to healthy eating.
The findings underline the growing importance of school food provision, nutrition programmes and wider wellbeing initiatives as schools continue to support pupils affected by food insecurity.
The report also found that the price gap between healthy and unhealthy food is now at its widest level in more than a decade. Healthier foods cost almost twice as much per calorie as less healthy alternatives, while products high in fat, salt and sugar were the only food category to become cheaper over the past year.
Researchers warn that the affordability challenge is being compounded by a food environment that increasingly favours less healthy choices. Fast-food outlets now account for one in four food retail locations in England, rising to more than one in three in the most deprived communities. Meanwhile, 40% of food and drink promotions focus on products high in fat, salt and sugar, while fruit and vegetables account for just 3% of traditional food advertising expenditure.
The consequences are already being seen among young people. The report highlights that only one in ten 11 to 18-year-olds consume the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, while 95% exceed recommended levels of free sugar intake.
Children from the most deprived backgrounds continue to experience disproportionately poor health outcomes, with higher rates of obesity, tooth decay and nutrient deficiencies than their peers.
The Food Foundation is calling for urgent policy action, including the rapid implementation of health measures outlined in the Government’s NHS 10-Year Plan, expansion of Healthy Start support for low-income families and the introduction of a Good Food Bill designed to improve long-term food security.
For schools and education leaders, the report serves as a reminder that access to healthy food remains a critical factor in supporting attendance, attainment, wellbeing and long-term pupil outcomes.
